Upload
dave-markowitz
View
113
Download
4
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Plans for a very robust workbench constructed from plywood, 4x4 lumber, and 2x4 lumber. Held together with deck or drywall screws and large bolts.
Citation preview
Posted by “Angry American” at http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/350820_Work_Bench_How_Too.html
1
Workbench Plans Instead of hijacking the other thread I though I would show my own workbench design. I am by no means a carpenter, so this is a very simple design with a lot of "stout" and overbuilding built in. I have 4 of these in my computer store and I swear if you could get the car in the air, you could park one on these benches and they wouldn't budge.
Posted by “Angry American” at http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/350820_Work_Bench_How_Too.html
2
The bench when finished is about 40" tall, 8' Long and 3' deep. I like big sturdy benches and this one will do the job. The bonus is that its heavy enough not to need to bolt to the wall. What you will need:
• 4 -‐ 96" 2X4's • 14 -‐ 33" 2X4's • 2 -‐ 8'X4' Sheets of 3/4" MDF or equivalent. • 6 -‐ 4X4's cut to 39" in length. • 12 -‐ 3/4" Carriage Bolts with Nuts, Fender Washers and Locking Washers. • 93 -‐ 2.5" or 3" Deck Screws • 91 -‐ 1 1/2" Deck Screws
Posted by “Angry American” at http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/350820_Work_Bench_How_Too.html
3
First the Frame:
Take 2 96" 2X4's and lay them parallel approximately 3 feet apart. Take two 33" 2X4's and attach them to each end on the inside of the 96"ers as seen above. I use three 2.5" deck screws through the 96" piece into the 33" piece to secure them in place at each end. Then take a 33" piece and secure it in the middle of the two 96" pieces. Then put two more 33" pieces approximately 15.5" apart between the center and outside 33" pieces.
Posted by “Angry American” at http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/350820_Work_Bench_How_Too.html
4
Good, now you have one done, do it again and you have both frame pieces made. Now cut and mount your 3/4" mdf or like material to one side of each frame so they look like this:
As you can see I screwed them down from the outside, to make the top a tad bit smoother I did countersink the holes before I ran in the screws.
Posted by “Angry American” at http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/350820_Work_Bench_How_Too.html
5
Now for the hard part. On the inside corners of the bottom shelf you will need to cut a 4" X 4" hole with a jigsaw for the legs to go through. Only do this on one of the shelves, the top shelf needs no holes. So you will have a 4"X 4" hole at each outside corner inside of the 2X4 framing and then one on either side of the center rail frame. Look at the following picture closely to see the squares you will need to cut:
Now comes the easy part. Take the shelf you cut your holes out of and lay it on its side, then slide each 4X4 leg into on of the cutouts leaving 8" exposed at the bottom. 8" gives plenty of room for vacuum cleaners and off chairs to slide under the bench easily. Bolt each leg to the frame using a 3/4" Carriage Bolt but leave it a tad loose until we finish assembly. Once all 6 legs are in place put the bench up on its feet. Get a helper to help you lift the top shelf and put it on the top of the legs. You will need to jiggle a few of them to get them to drop where they need to be.
Posted by “Angry American” at http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/350820_Work_Bench_How_Too.html
6
This is what it should look like from the bottom now: Your legs should go through the bottom shelf and rest on the bottom of the MDF of the top shelf. I use clamps to get the legs as tight to the corner as I can before I drill my holes for the carriage bolts.
Posted by “Angry American” at http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/350820_Work_Bench_How_Too.html
7
Posted by “Angry American” at http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/350820_Work_Bench_How_Too.html
8
Now your bench should be sitting upright. All you have left at this point is to install your carriage bolts for the bench top and attach it to the legs. Once you have all the bolts in place and the legs where you want em, tighten all the carriage bolts down real nice and tight. This last step is optional. I added a backsplash for a place to mount tool holders, electrical plugins or surge protectors, phone and data jacks and the like. Using the scrap leftover from cutting your MDF, cut a full 8' length 8" wide piece. Then rip two 1" pieces at full length as well. Assemble them as pictured here:
Posted by “Angry American” at http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/350820_Work_Bench_How_Too.html
9
Take your two 96" X 1" pieces and glue them together, then attach them to the back of the bench screwing down from the top using some more 2.5" deck screws. Then attach your 96" X 8" piece to the to pieces you just attached to the bench using 1.5" deck screws. Thats it, a afternoon and you have a good solid wont go anywhere bench. I did add some blocking under my benches where I mounted my presses to give it a tad more strength. I painted my benches white, and then put down a thin rubber runner on the top for a benchtop. You could use about anything, just use some filler to cover the screw holes and you could use Formica or the like. You could also put some trim on the front of the bench to dress it up abit if that is your wish as well, but trim work is beyond my abilities, I just live with them painted and utilitarian looking. I hope you found this information helpful.